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Month: June 2015

When people think of public relations they either know exactly what it is or they have no clue. It is somewhat understandable—I mean people know its business but what kind of business? My definition of Public Relations is acting as an advocate for whoever you are working for—even if it’s yourself. Public Relations is not only advocacy, but it is creating and sustaining the reputation of a company or client.

How may one go about this you may ask? Various ways but I’ll give a few.

Research

In Public Relations, research is vital for companies and campaigns. Both quantitative and qualitative research should be involved. Research builds credibility, which is so valuable. I mean do you want to be that one person who doesn’t know what they are talking about?

Social Media

Some people don’t realize how useful social media is when it comes to promoting a company. Social Media is a great way to reach your target audience and update customers and shareholders when a company experiences a crisis.

News aka Press Releases

New Releases are a document that has any local news regarding your company–this is then sent to a newspaper, magazine or wherever it is needed really. This could be news about an event that could be coming up, news about a new product ect.

Events

Public Relations and events go together like cheese and wine. As I said before, there can be events to help promote a new product or a new program the company is putting on. Recently, at Central Washington University, an event planning class hosted an unofficial TedTalk called CatChat. This was an event that CWU students put together. At this event, people from the community talked about their success in the business world. They also offered inspiring words and food for thought. This event was really beneficial and I learned a lot from it.

If you are someone who didn’t know much about Public Relations before reading this blog, now you do. This career allows me to utilize the skills I already have like strong writing and people skills. If you know me, you know that I am an uppity person with a big bright personality. I feed off of people’s energy and this allows me to excel in this field. I know that I still have a lot to learn but I feel that I am off to great start since I will be an Account Executive for Central Communication Agency (Central Washington University’s student-run public relations firm) in the fall.

Named one of the United States “Top 50 Breakout Brands” by Nation’s Restaurant News Mod Pizza has taken off and soared since 2008 (Wikipedia). If you don’t already know –which if you don’t shame on you! –Mod pizza is a United States based chain of casual dining pizza restaurants. There are 30 company owned locations in the US. If you are like me, and live in Washington State, there are locations in Yakima, Issaquah, Tacoma, Lynnwood, Bellevue, Seattle, Puyallup, Sammamish, and Redmond. Yes, ,the right thing to do is to get your car keys and your kids (if you have any) and go to Mod, go to Mod right now!

As I was saying, this private restaurant was founded in Seattle, WA of 2008. A couple in Seattle had an idea that was fueled by “pizza and simple pleasures” (Modpizza.com). During this time finances were tight and their boys were hungry. Taking all of this into consideration, the founders wanted to create a place that was inspiring and memorable but had authentic, fresh, hand-made food, made fast–all at a decent price. The dynamic duo was not sure if everyone would go along with this idea or even if people would show up to eat the food—but people did and MOD was born.

Once the doors opened in fall of 2008 the creators attracted people who were willing to help create the family environment MOD is known for. This group of people is called the “MOD Squad”. They have helped create “the spirit of individuality, teamwork, and service” this is called “MODness” (Modpizza.com). MOD pizza has nowhere to go but up. Just wait a few years; I’m sure more locations will be popping up everywhere.

This pair created “a true no-catch offer” through food. You are able to walk into a MOD pizza restaurant and buy a medium sized pizza aka a Mod pizza with as many or as little toppings as you want for the same price. This company stays true to their slogan:

“MOD Pizza. Simple food for complex times.”

For more information visit modpizza.com

Most of this information was taken from the modpizza.com all of this information ultimately belongs to them.

Kina Kasuya Grannis is an American guitarist and singer songwriter born August 4, 1985 in Mission Viejo California. Her background in acoustic and pop music began in elementary school where she composed piano compositions. She started to play the violin in elementary school and continued all the way through high school. By the age of 15 she started to teach herself guitar.

After attending Capistrano Valley High School, Grannis attended University of Southern California of LA in 2003. By her second year in college, Grannis was asked to produce her first album titled Sincerely Me. Grannis graduated summa cum laude in social science with an emphasis in psychology. Kina Grannis was a part of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi societies as well.

Now that you have a general background on Kina Grannis please enjoy the following:

Top 10 Reasons Kina Grannis is genuine:

Whenever she opens or closes a video on Youtube she says “I hope you are all doing well”, which may seem like a small act but it makes a big difference– it shows that she cares.

Kina Grannis is half Japanese and half European American now that sounds like a fabulous mix to me. Yay diversity!

She won Best Web-Born Artist at the 2011 MTV O Music Awards.

When she was in elementary school she composed and submitted piano compositions. Yes, shes smart.

Grannis’ first Youtube video Message from Your Heart was entered into Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest—she won. The prize included contract with Interscope Records.

Grannis wrote a song about one of the most important organs—your heart. In this song, Grannis sings about taking care of your heart, especially since we take it for granted from time to time.

In March 2013, Kina Grannis gave a TED Talk on “Finding Community Through the Internet”.

According to PetaPixel “The music video for the song “In Your Arms” by Kina Grannis is a stop-motion animation done with a background composed of jelly beans. It’s a crazy project that required 22 months, 1,357 hours, 30 people, and 288,000 jelly beans.”

“In October 2008, she participated in the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco to support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in honor of her mother, raising $6,000 for the organization.” According to Wikipedia.

In 2012, Grannis launched a charity project called Run Team Kina which emphasizes the promotion of health and well-being. The proceeds go to Leukemia Lymphoma Society. In this same year, Kina raised $71,886 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

It is clear to see that Kina Grannis is a selfless person. She want to be successful but she doesn’t not mind helping others along the way. Good job Kina, keep up the good work!

Below you will find two videos of Kina Grannis “Message from your Heart” and “In Your Arms”.

Recently, I have been listening to a lot of Ingrid Michaelson lately. Reasons for this—One: Her music makes me feel happier when I have the homework blues. Two: Her songwriting skills are flawless. And three: She puts her heart into her music. Basically, she’s a very talented and genuine person who brings positivity into the world.

Ingrid Ellen Egbert Michaelson is a half Swedish American; New York based indie pop singer-songwriter who was born December 8, 1979. In 2006, Michaelson independently put out her second album, Girls and Boys. After a music producer from ABC Drama Grey’s found her music online, the producer made it possible for the single Keep Breathing to play during Grey’s Anatomy Season 3 Episode 25- Didn’t We Almost Have it All. After this, Michaelson was approached by many record companies. Michaelson, being the amazing person that she is, wanted to retain all of her rights as an independent artist and signed a deal with Original Signal Recordings. Michaelson wanted the label to act as the marketing and distribution arm.

In September 18, 2007, Michaelson re-released her album Girls and Boys into the mainstream market on September 18, 2007. This album peaked at #63 on the Billboard charts. That’s is a pretty great accomplishment. Now, if you are still not convinced that Ingrid Michaelson is a unique artist that you need to be listening to–here are my top four songs/reasons why Ingrid Michaelson is a spectacular human being.

Top Four songs that are also reasons why Ingrid Michaelson is a spectacular human being:

“Everybody”

This is an oldie that sure to put a smile on anyone’s face because “everybody wants to love and everyone wants to be loved.” If you are feeling down you better listen to this song right now!

“Girls Chase Boys”

Originally, intended to be a break-up song Michaelson’s framed this music video to simulate Robert Palmer’s late ‘80s single “Simply Irresistible”. The take away in this song is that “no matter who or how we love we are all the same” –Ingrid Michaelson

“You and I”

This cute and catchy song captures the idea that as a couple we may not have a lot of money but we can make the best of what we do have—and strive to get to where we want to be.

“Afterlife”

This is an empowering song that tells people to face their fears head on and to know that you are capable of doing whatever you set your mind to. This song gives me such a confidence boost.

CONCLUSION: Ingrid Michaelson is a great addition to society and her art through music has such a positive impact on the world and gives people those happy tingly feelings inside.

Ingrid Michaelson is doing a tour this summer called “A Summer Night Out with Ingrid Michaelson” and tickets are on sale now. Click on the link below to buy them! tickets.http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/tour